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Cambodia

Global conference on the interrelations between public policies, migration and development

5-6 December 2013

OECD Conference Centre

Paris, France

The OECD Development Centre is carrying out the project "Interrelations between Public Policies, Migration and Development: Case Studies and Policy Recommendations", which is co-funded by the EU Thematic Programme on Migration and Asylum. The project aims to enhance the capacity of partner countries to incorporate migration into the design and implementation of their development strategies, through a better understanding of the links between sectoral policies and migration. Implemented in ten partner countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America, the project is a state-owned process that is driven by governments willing to explore the links between migration patterns, migration policies and sectoral policies. Final beneficiaries of the project include migrants from and in partner countries, as well as migrant households and communities.

On 5-6 December 2013, the OECD Development Centre organised a global conference with its research and government partners from the project countries to discuss the implementation of the project as well as future activities. The specific aim of the conference was to discuss:

The conceptual framework of the project

Aiming at improving the understanding of how international migration affects public policies, and conversely, how public policies affect migration, the conceptual framework demonstrates a matrix of possible interlinkages between migration and sectoral policies. This leads to envisage the need to better take into account the interrelations between migration and sectoral development policies.

The priority sectors to be studied in each country

The ultimate objective of the project is to contribute to the economic and social development of the countries. Public policies, thus, refer to specific sectors considered as key in sustaining economic and social development. The project identifies nine particular sectors that are important for economic growth, social cohesion and sustainability. The priority sectors on which the project should focus to deliver evidence-based analysis in each partner country will be defined.

The methodological framework for the case studies

The methodological framework developed serve to have common tools to measure: (i) the impact of public policies on migration in the partner countries; and (ii) the implications of decisions adopted in relation to migration on other policy domains and on the socio-economic development of partner countries.

Agenda

Thursday, 5 December

Opening remarks

Mario Pezzini, Director of the OECD Development Centre

Hélène Bourgade, Head of Unit DEVCO B3, Employment, Social Inclusion, Migration, European Commission

Session I – Interrelations between public policies and migration: conceptual framework

Presenter:

David Khoudour, Head of the Migration and Skills Unit, OECD Development Centre

This initial session set the stage for the conference by presenting the OECD Development Centre’s project on the interrelations between public policies, migration and development of partner countries. The presentation covered the project’s objectives as well as a conceptual framework on the different interactions between public policies, migration and development.

During the meeting, Secretary Imelda M. Nicolas (right), Chairperson of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas, spoke about her country's experiences with promoting positive links between migration and development.

Friday, 6 December

Session II – Sharing experiences of partner countries

This session gave policy makers and local partners the opportunity to share their experiences on the interrelations between public policies in prioritised sectors and migration (i.e. emigration/return and immigration). The issue of policy coherence was also discussed. The discussions helped translate the conceptual framework into an effective methodology for measuring the interrelations.

During the conference, representatives from local research institutions such as Toni Cela (centre), Country Co-ordinator of Haiti's Interuniversity Institute for Research and Development, had the opportunity to share experiences.

Session III – Elaboration of methodological framework

Presenters:

Lisa Andersson, Economist, OECD Development Centre

Jason Gagnon, Economist, OECD Development Centre

Hyeshin Park, Policy Analyst, OECD Development Centre

This session focused on the methodologies used in the fieldwork in the partner countries. It introduced the outline and implementation of the quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews, and presented examples of how the interrelations between migration and the sectoral policies can be captured through empirical data collection.

During Session III, Lisa Andersson, Hyeshin Park and Jason Gagnon (left to right) from the OECD Development Centre's Migration and Skills Unit presented the methodological framework for the project.

Closing remarks

Freddy Montero, Deputy Minister, Ministry of the Interior and the Police, Costa Rica

Hélène Bourgade, Head of Unit, Employment, Social Inclusion, Migration, European Commission

Mario Pezzini, Director of the OECD Development Centre

The final session included closing remarks by Freddy Montero, Deputy Minister of the Interior and the Police in Costa Rica; Hélene Bourgade, Head of the European Commission's Employment, Social Inclusion, Migration Unit; and Mario Pezzini, Director of the OECD Development Centre (left to right).